Warning the outsiders and winning Johnny cade

Chapter thirteen

We went in under the fence. I came in after Johnny he helped me up. I had the chills. I was literally in the night the socs jumped Johnny and ponyboy. I could prevent all this from happening. Since we didn't bring a car we started walking over to the seats. Johnny grabbed my hand. I had goosebumps as we walked past Cherry and Marcia getting out of Randy's mustang and then yelling at each other. I pulled Johnny closer and we walked faster. When we safely passed them we slowed down.
"Johnny. I'm scared."
He put his arm around my shoulder. I kinda leaned my head on his should as we walked.
"It's gonna be okay, I promise."
And we walked like that all the way to the seats. I don't care what people thought. He was the only thing I needed. Still is. When we got to all the seats the boys looked at me confused.
"uh where do we sit." Two-Bit asked.
I shuddered because I saw Cherry and Marcia sitting. But I saw where Johnny and Ponyboy were sitting in the "book" or "movie" was obviously the best angle to view the movie and I wasn't gonna ruin a perfectly good movie because of some stupid girls. So I simply said
"Um this row will be fine."
It was the row behind the one where Pony and Johnny sat. Everyone sat down. I wanted to be in the middle of the boys so the order was like this if we were facing the movie, left to right would go, Soda, Pony, Johnny, Me, Dally, then Two-Bit at the end. Everyone sat down. Pony was right in the "book", it was freezing that night. I rested my head on johnnys shoulder kind of for warmth.
"The seat in front of me is where you sat. Pony was in front of dally and Dally was in front of where Two-Bit is sitting right now."
I said to Johnny and paused.
"Johnny this is weird for me. Because I've seen the "scene" for this a million times. I've read this "part" a ton of times too. And I'm scared too. I know it won't, because we've changed the events leading up to it, but, I don't want you to get hurt, I'm scared you're gonna get hurt."
He kind of rubbed my back and said
"I know what you mean. This'd be weird for me too. But don't worry about me, it's messing with your head. You're okay. I'm okay. And guess what? We aren't even gonna start talking to those girls because dal won't start with them in the first place."
"I sure hope so."
I responded. But as if he heard us or something dally started in on Cherry and Marcia. He moved a row closer and kept talking. I stood up.
"Dally stop."
He ignored me. Kept on going. What was with him? He said he'd listen. He knows what'll happen.
"Dally I said stop."
Still kept on bugging cherry and ignored me. I got really frustrated but really sad. Because I knew if even one thing went wrong we could have the same situation that happened in the "book" I also got sad because I felt hurt he'd do that even though I tried so hard on not letting that happen.
"Is that your real red hair?"
"Dally," I said kinda firmly.
"C'mon dal," Johnny added in.
"Shut up! Just shut up would you? I'm a big boy I don't need you bossing me around acting like you know everything. Just shut up!"
I couldn't help it I started crying. He went on talking to Cherry and Marcia for a minute until I said
"Dally, please," in a soft crying voice. I couldn't help it that my voice cracked.
I started crying harder so I ran into the aisle not knowing where I was planning on going. I heard the boys yelling at dally. but I wasnt gonna sit there and cry in front of the boys for no reason. I just felt so mixed up and sad already and then having dally say that to me, I don't know,. Is that how all the boys thought of me? Annoying and bossy? I ran to the side of the concessions and sat down leaning against the building, crying, barely able to breath because when I cry I'm a mess. Gasping for air many tears running down my face, I was hoping no one would come over here and hear or see me. A few minutes later Johnny sat beside me.
"I've been looking all over for you."
He paused.
"Dally. He, he didn't mean it."
"No he's right. I'm, just annoying and bossy and walk around here thinking I know everything when really I'm just stupid. And now I'm crying for no reason I look like a mess and everyone thinks I'm a wuss. Why doesn't everyone just hate me?"
I broke down even more. Johnny pulled me into his arms.
"You're not bossy, or annoying, or stupid, you're just trying to help. And dally, he lashes out on people and he doesn't mean it. And it's okay you're crying. Sometimes people just have to break down when their mixed up. And I know this is a really emotional night for you on top of all the dally stuff. No one hates you, Okay?"
Johnny got the hair out of my face.
"You really think that?"
"Im sure of it."
I cleaned myself up and me and Johnny walked hand in hand back to our seats. Dally had stormed off. But guess who was talking to Ponyboy? Huh? You guessed it! It was freaking cherry valance. No no no. Oh god this is gonna ruin everything.
"You okay Anne?"
Soda asked.
"Dally didn't mean it."
Two bit added.
"Yeah yeah. I'm good. Thanks for asking"
I said.
"Hey Anne this is cherry."
Pony boy introduced me. Yeah I know, is what I wanted to say but I thought that would freak the girls out and it was a long story to tell so I settled for a dirty look for Ponyboy and
"Hi cherry. My name's Anne."
"Thanks for sticking up for us. After Dallas Winston was rude to you you had all these boys sticking up for you yelling at him and shaming him. Dally stormed off after. Those boys sure do got your back."
Marcia said. I smiled.
"Thanks. And it was no problem." I said.
But after that I quickly asked
"Ponyboy will you please come to get a drink with me?"
"Yeah sure." He replied.
"Oh I'm thirsty too. I'll come."
Cherry butted in.
"I just really need to talk to Pony but I'll get you a drink."
"Oh okay." She replied. She clearly had never been denied something like that.
Me and Pony walked off.
"Ponyboy what were you thinking talking to her? I know you have a crush on her but it's a life or death situation for three people! Cmon pony"
"But she seems really nice,"
"Pony she isn't like you. Or any of us. She doesn't care about you. She only cares about her fancy expensive stuff and her stupid boyfriend. And when it comes down to it. She wouldn't visit Johnny in the hospital or even say hi to you at school."
I snapped.
"Okay I'm sorry I'm overreacting but pony this is a big deal if you think about it. Talking to them means Bon and randy might come looking for us later and that leads to Bob them Johnny then dally dying. Pony please,"
"I'll talk to who I want when I want without the permission of you."
Pony said sassily. Why was he being such a dick? I was only trying to help. I got mad and whipped around not even going in line for the pop. I walked back to the seat, pissed. Obviously they could see I was very angry so Johnny said
"Are you good Anne?"
"Yeah everything's fine Johnny. Just fine."
I plopped down and intertwined my fingers with johnnys. I was still pissed at pony and was showing it. But I was still showing affection for Johnny. After pony came back there were a couple confused looks but just like that cherry started up another conversation. Guess what? Pony still talked to cherry. For like ten minutes. Until they started talking about Darry and sodapop. I thought that was supposed to happen when they were walking home. Oh well. Darry and ponyboy still fought but not too bad so when she asked about Darry and pony responded the nasty things he said about Darry I was suprised. Of course he said the things that he said in the book/movie. I was getting madder at Ponyboy every minute. And now he's talking about Darry like that? Everyone objected soda, two bit, Johnny and I. But he on ejected to us objecting he added on
"An' you can shut your trap, Johnny Cade, 'cause we all know you ain't wanted at home, either. And you can't blame them."
Johnny winced and two bit yelled at pony. Johnny said,
"It's the truth," with a bleak grin, "I don't care,"
I looked him in his big puppy eyes "Johnny it is not the truth don't listen to him."
but I was so out raged at Pony I couldn't help but yell at him after I comforted Johnny.
"Shut up pickin on Johnny like that! We all objected but of course you had to pick him. Ponyboy that's rude and nasty! And what do you mean "you can't blame them"? Yes we can blame them because they're drunks and they're too blind to see what a great person Johnny is inside and out. He's smart and creative and brave and understanding sweet, sensitive, and kind. He's a better person then you'll ever be! So you're the one that can shut your trap!"
Everyone was silent. Johnnys hand was shaking do I grabbed it and steadied it. Pony just rolled his eyes and went back to talking with cherry. After five minutes or so of pony STILL talking to her I blew up on cherry this time,
"Stop. Just stop. Stop talking to us. All you are is trouble. You know you wouldn't be talking to us if any of your other friends were here or your boyfriends or your parents. You'd think we weren't good enough. So don't talk to us now. Just go back to your perfect soc life and leave us alone!"
Still having johnnys hand we walked away. Two bit and soda pop followed us.
"I can't believe he's risking everyone's lives and even being mean to me by talking to her over and over. And he was so rude to Johnny! She will ignore ponyin school and not even come to see Johnny in the hospital. And now everyone thinks I'm the massive bitch for blowing up on her. Ughhhh."
"We think you're fine Anne. We know you've been scared and it's rude Pony and dally are acting this way. But we can't just leave pony by himself. Especially if the socs do end up getting mad at pony for talking to them. We have to go get him."
Soda said. I knew he was right.
"Well he sure ain't gonna come for no reason, he really likes her"
Two bit said. I had an idea. Pony was gonna be mad at me for making him go but he was mad at me anyways. Darry would've been off work by now so I called the house with the phone from the concession stand.
"Hey Darry, I know we were supposed to walk home, but pony won't stop talking to cherry and I think something bad is gonna happen. I think he's in danger. He won't come with us but I know he will listen to you whether he likes it or not. Will you come and pick us up?"
"Yeah no problem. I don't know what he's thinkin. Nightly double right? I'll be there soon."
Darry got there in his truck and soda dragged pony away from the girls. He got into the car and sighed.
"What were you thinking Ponyboy? You know if other people were around she wouldn't even say hi to you. We're too poor. It's all about money for them. And you didn't listen to Anne. Even after all the things she warned us about."
Darry said. Not even firmly just friendly.
"Get off my back would ya?" Ponyboy said in a mean voice.
He was silent until we got home and then he ran into the house and slammed his door.
"Thanks for driving us Darry."
I said.
"No problem."
"Man what is the matter with Ponyboy tonight?"
Sodapop asked. We all walked around the neighborhood except pony and Darry. Pony was grounded for the rest of the night and Darry had work tomorrow. We walked back to see what cherry and Marcia ended up doing and sure enough they were talking to other greasers. Until Bob and randy picked them up. When we got home, We all stayed the night at the Curtis' to keep everyone safe besides dally. We heard he was at buck merrill's. And Steve got home from the foot ball game. For the rest of the night we all talked and hung out and played games and watched tv or ate. And it was a lot of fun. We all tried to do an all nighter. I looked at the clock it was 3:21 am. I remembered the 3:15 freight to windrixville. Bob wasn't dead so Johnny wasn't wanted for murder and they weren't at the church on jay mountain so it never caught fire and Johnny wouldn't get stuck in the fire and he wouldn't die so dally wouldn't explode so dally wouldn't die either! I suddenly yelled,
"We avoided the situation! It's past the time Bob and randy were supposed to jump pony and Johnny and Bob died. We did it!"
We all cheered and the boys put me up on their shoulders and thanked me. All except for Ponyboy. It was Kind of like if you had won a really big sports game and you were the star player. We ate chocolate cake and had fun for the rest of the night until we finally drifted to sleep.